Know Your Chakras: Two

This is the second in a seven-part series on the chakras. Previously, we looked at the Muladhara or root chakra, which deals with grounding. Once this chakra is balanced, we can move to the second: The Svadisthana or sacral chakra, which is located in the spine in the small of the back. This chakra is primarily concerned with connecting and uniting with another human being, emotionally and sexually, in a sacred energetic dance – giving us the freedom to move into the upper chakras and reach the heights of spiritual transformation. Without the balance of this second chakra, we are unable to open and connect with the fourth chakra, our heart. This involves embracing change, letting go, surrendering, and the healthy, unobstructed flow of our emotions and sexuality, helping heal the mind-body split.

Element: Water

Function and Purpose: Desire, pleasure, sexuality and procreation

Obstacle: Guilt

Balanced Inner States: Emotional intelligence, embracing change, ability to enjoy and receive pleasure, ability to nurture the self and others, healthy boundaries, flowing movement

Imbalanced Inner States: Fear of sex (frigidity), uncomfortable receiving pleasure, impotence, underdeveloped social skills, lack of boundaries or understanding of the boundaries of others, fear of change, rigid attitudes, beliefs and body movement

Location: Lower abdomen, genitals, womb

Color: Orange

When our second chakra is imbalanced, we are ruled by negative emotions and our unconscious mind, as well as a distorted and unhealthy expression of our sexuality. We end up making bad choices and decisions, creating a dull and restrictive life which inhibits our ability to connect and unite with another human being on all levels.

On the flip side, when balanced, our compassionate and empathic abilities develop to higher levels of action and awareness; our emotions are felt, understood, embraced and processed; our body is celebrated; and we can healthily express our sexuality, opening us to give and receive pleasure in all areas of our life. We are able to truly connect emotionally and sexually, with purity and the lack of inhibitions, allowing us the opportunity to spiritually unite with another, thereby opening us to greater heights of spiritual awakening. When we are in balance and in line with our highest selves, our authenticity and our emotions serve us in receiving vital data and information from our environment and others, allowing us a greater level of sensitivity as well as empathy.

Have you had any interesting experiences with the second chakra?

(Check out the next two in this series here and here.)